CT can identify characteristic features of hypaxial muscle abscesses in dogs due to presumed migrating vegetal foreign material as well as additional changes along the migratory tract in other anatomic regions

Erin Hennessey, Nicky Cassel, Ellie Nuth, David Biller

Study: The study is a retrospective, descriptive case series that describes CT and other imaging features of hypaxial abscesses in a population of dogs at increased risk for migrating vegetal foreign material due to activity and geographic location.

Methods: Medical records from the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center (KSU VHC) were searched for dogs that had a CT scan of the lumbar spine or abdomen from January 2008 through June 2020. Patients were included if the CT scan exhibited disease within the lumbar hypaxial musculature and had an abscess confirmed by surgery and/or bacterial culture of the affected site.

Results: Twelve dogs met the inclusion criteria. CT findings of hypaxial muscle lesions caused by migrating vegetal foreign material included hypaxial muscle enlargement, abscesses with central fluid attenuation and irregular contrast enhancing rim, periosteal reaction and lysis of adjacent vertebrae, and retroperitoneal effusion. Radiography and ultrasound imaging were used as adjunct modalities for diagnosis and were beneficial in identifying some of the lesions.

Conclusion: The CT features of hypaxial muscle abscesses in this sample of 12 dogs included unilateral or bilateral heterogenous hypaxial muscle enlargement, central fluid attenuation with rim enhancement of the hypaxial muscles, and lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis characterized by lumbar vertebral lysis and periosteal reaction. Findings supported including vegetal foreign material in the hypaxial muscles for dogs with these CT features and recommending further investigation through the use of ultrasound and/or exploratory surgery.

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